Guwahati, Aug. 29: A little late maybe, but Dispur has finally woken up to the plight of captive elephants in the state.

Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden, Assam, M.C. Malakar, has recently passed an official order prohibiting the use of elephants for begging.

Malakar has also directed the divisional forest officers to bring the order to the notice of elephant-owners under their respective jurisdictions and to take steps in case the order is violated.

“Elephants begging on roads, especially in front of temples, have become a common sight in Assam. There are instances of such animals going berserk and attacking bystanders and destroying properties. This is an offence under Section 289 IPC,” Malakar said in the order.

Making elephants perform tricks and manoeuvres, without the prior approval of the Central Zoo Authority under Section 38H of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is a clear violation of the said provisions of the act, the order reads.

The state government passed the order after the chief functionary of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) India, Anuradha Sawhney, wrote to Malakar last month drawing his attention to cruelty to captive elephants.

Section 42 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, says chief wildlife wardens may issue an ownership certificate to any legally-owned captive animal only when the owner has facilities for its housing, maintenance and upkeep.

“In case of elephants used for begging, it will mean the owner does not have adequate facilities for its maintenance, which would necessitate cancellation of the certificate of ownership and consequent forfeiture of the elephant,” Malakar added.